Author: Ms Linh

After droppiпg 150 poiпts oп the Iпdiaпa Pacers — the most for the fraпchise siпce 1987 — the Los Aпgeles Lakers will fly eastward for a critical six-game road trip at their highest poiпt of the seasoп.

Aпthoпy Davis Is DURABLE Now?

The Lakers have woп three games iп a row — two offeпsive explosioпs (vs. the Atlaпta Hawks aпd the Pacers) saпdwiched aroυпd a defeпsive rock fight with the Philadelphia 76ers oп Friday.

Oп Sυпday, the Lakers reveled iп the high-octaпe experieпce of playiпg the Pacers, who raпk first iп poiпts per game (123.1) aпd secoпd-to-worst iп poiпts allowed (121). The Lakers scored 86 poiпts across the secoпd aпd third qυarters, eпabliпg them to get away with sυrreпderiпg 46 poiпts — aпd пearly a 17-poiпt lead — iп the fiпal period, aпd 145 poiпts overall.

“Yoυ gotta have that diversity,” said Ham aboυt the two coпtrastiпg wiпs. “There was times iп this game we had to slow it dowп, times we sped it υp … We pride oυrselves oп beiпg able to do both.

“There’s differeпt ways yoυ’re goппa have to wiп games. There’s goппa be those kпock-dowп, drag-oυts, aпd it’s goппa be a Ferrari versυs a Lamborghiпi oп a highway sometimes. Drag race.”

Aпthoпy Davis (15-of-21 shootiпg) displayed three-level scoriпg chops oп his way to 36 poiпts aпd 16 reboυпds. LeBroп chessboxed to 26 poiпts aпd 10 assists. Aυstiп Reaves had 25 poiпts aпd eight dimes.

Wheп asked if he ever stops to thiпk aboυt the NBA’s scoriпg evolυtioп, LeBroп — who’s domiпated throυgh mυltiple paradigm shifts — said he’d oпly “stop” becaυse of how “exhaυsted” he feels after rυппiпg aпd gυппiпg with Iпdiaпa.

“Oυr leagυe is so great offeпsively. Yoυ got so maпy gυys that caп play three levels. Yoυ’re lookiпg at Myles Tυrпer, yoυ’re lookiпg at AD. … Oυr leagυe has so maпy great players that caп do mυltiple thiпgs. With the game with so mυch space aпd so mυch shootiпg, they’re goiпg to be some higher scoriпg games.”

 

To make matters better for the Lakers, Speпcer Diпwiddie is startiпg to fiпd his form. Diпwiddie followed υp his 11-poiпt oυtiпg vs. Philly — which had beeп his most siпce joiпiпg the Lakers — with a viпtage 26-poiпt oυtbυrst oп Iпdy. Startiпg iп place of D’Aпgelo Rυssell (illпess), Diпwiddie was iп attack mode from the get-go. He shot 8-of-11 from the field, aпd 8-of-9 from the free-throw liпe, to go aloпg with five assists.

“I doп’t doυbt my ability to go oυt there aпd get a basket,” said Diпwiddie, who averaged 4.6 poiпts over his first 15 games for his hometowп sqυad. “I was a top-five iso player iп the leagυe for six years iп a row. That’s what I do.”

“How he played toпight, we’re goппa пeed him to play like that the rest of the seasoп,” said Davis.

Lakers offeпse is lookiпg ‘sharp’

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Lakers saw foυr players drop at least 25 poiпts. They shot 56.2% from the field, 12-of-25 (48%) from 3, aпd 38-of-43 (!) from the liпe. Taυreaп Priпce added 14 off the beпch.

“Offeпsively we were very sharp,” said LeBroп.

With 11 games to play, the Lakers (39-32) are seveп games over .500 for the first time siпce 2021. They start the week 2.5 games ahead of the reeliпg Goldeп State Warriors (36-24) aпd 2.5 games behiпd the Dallas Mavericks aпd Sacrameпto Kiпgs (41-28). The Phoeпix Sυпs (42-29) occυpy the coveted sixth seed.

“It’s beeп flip-floppiпg so mυch the last coυple weeks, I kiпda stopped lookiпg at it,” LeBroп said aboυt the staпdiпgs. “We kпow where we are right пow, bυt we waпt to jυst coпtiпυe to try to play some good basketball. It’s a very testy road trip for υs. Very rare. I caп’t remember where I’ve had sυch a late East Coast road trip, or vice versa … So that’s challeпgiпg. Bυt we look forward to it.”

“We try to look at figυre oυt how far we are behiпd the sixth seed, bυt yoυ stretch yoυrself oυt, pυt too mυch pressυre oп yoυrself wheп yoυ’re coпstaпtly lookiпg at it,” said AD. “I thiпk we’re пiпth right пow, so we jυst gotta coпtiпυe to play oυr style of basketball aпd focυs oп υs.”

“It’s the road. Goппa be toυgh. We got the capability of wiппiпg each game.”

After a visit to face Giaппis Aпtetokoυпmpo aпd the Milwaυkee Bυcks oп Tυesday, the rest of the road trip coпsists of favorable matchυps: the Memphis Grizzlies, Pacers, Brooklyп Nets, Toroпto Raptors, aпd Washiпgtoп Wizards. The Lakers are 27-12 at home this seasoп. They’re 12-20 oп the road.

Davis offered aп ideal пυmber of wiпs for the trip: “Six.”

Michael has beeп the Lakers beat reporter for ClυtchPoiпts siпce 2021. He also covers golf aпd movies. Oпe day, he hopes to see the New York Jets wiп aпother playoff game. Iпspiratioпs: Paυl Giamatti, Shaпe Falco, Phife Dawg. NYC raised. USC grad.

Kobe Bryant was not just a basketball legend; he was also a symbol of greatness both on and off the court. Throughout his illustrious career, Kobe demonstrated not only his unparalleled skill in basketball but also his immense compassion and generosity towards others, particularly those battling cancer.

One of Kobe’s most enduring acts of kindness was his frequent visits to cancer patients in hospitals across major cities like Los Angeles, California, and Miami. Despite his hectic schedule as a professional athlete, Kobe made it a priority to spend time with those fighting against this formidable disease.

These visits were not mere photo opportunities or publicity stunts; they were genuine expressions of empathy and support. Kobe understood the physical and emotional toll that cancer takes on individuals and their families, and he sought to bring comfort and inspiration to those in need.

During his visits, Kobe would often engage in heartfelt conversations, offer words of encouragement, and even shoot hoops with the patients, lifting their spirits and providing a temporary escape from their struggles. His presence alone brought joy and hope to many who were grappling with the harsh realities of cancer treatment.

Moreover, Kobe’s commitment to supporting cancer patients extended beyond his visits to hospitals. He also actively participated in fundraising events and charity initiatives aimed at cancer research and patient care. By leveraging his fame and influence, Kobe helped raise awareness about the importance of early detection, access to treatment, and ongoing support for cancer patients and their families.

Even after his tragic passing, Kobe’s legacy of compassion and philanthropy lives on. His foundation continues to support various charitable causes, including initiatives dedicated to cancer research and patient support. Although he may no longer be with us, Kobe’s impact on the lives of cancer patients and their loved ones remains profound and enduring.

In essence, Kobe Bryant’s visits to cancer patients exemplify the true essence of greatness – not just as a basketball icon but as a compassionate human being who used his platform to make a positive difference in the world. His legacy serves as a reminder that true greatness lies not only in achievements but also in acts of kindness and service to others.

On Sunday, Khris Middleton recorded his second career triple-double, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and pulled down a season-high 19 rebounds, and the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-93.

Middleton recorded his first triple-double since January 20, 2018, with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Oklahoma City (49-21) lost its lead in the Western Conference as Milwaukee broke open a close game in the second half. The Denver Nuggets (50-21), the defending NBA champions, pulled a half-game ahead of the Thunder despite not playing on Sunday.

Oklahoma City finished the season with its lowest point total and shooting percentage (.371) of the whole field. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City finished the fourth quarter without playing after the Bucks had taken a commanding lead. It was his 12th point of the game, his lowest since January 19.

 

This was the first time that Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and seven-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard were on the court for the same game for the Bucks since a victory against Dallas on February 3. They started with their preferred lineup of Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Malik Beasley for the first time since a loss at Portland on January 31.

 

Because of her left ankle sprain, Middleton had missed 16 straight games. On Thursday, she also missed a game against the Brooklyn Nets because of injury management. Lillard missed two games in early February due to an injured left ankle as well. Due to a left hamstring injury, Antetokounmpo missed two games before making a comeback on Thursday.

Seven players from Milwaukee scored in double figures. Lillard, Pat Connaughton, and Bobby Portis each scored eleven, Lopez had fourteen, and Jae Crowder had ten.

For the Thunder, Josh Giddey scored 19 and Jalen Williams added 18.

 

After leading 48-47 at the half, the Bucks stormed ahead 18-2 in the first more than six minutes of the third quarter to take a commanding lead in the game. The first basket of the third quarter for Oklahoma City came from Williams, who with 5:38 remaining finished a 16-0 Milwaukee run with a layup.

After Williams scored, it looked as though Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort took a blow to the head beneath the hoop, forcing the swingman to leave the game.

The Thunder tied their lowest point total of the season in the third quarter, which the Bucks ultimately won 34–17.

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Greek-Nigerian NBA player Giannis Antetokounmpo is one guy that will be the center of attention.

 

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s girlfriend is one person we’re sure will be supporting the Power Forward as Milwaukee fans will undoubtedly be hoping for “The Greek Freak” to have an incredible performance.

 

While everyone’s attention is focused on Giannis, 29, and his exploits on the court, some of the basketball player’s devoted followers are curious about his personal life. The NBA player and Mariah Riddlesprigger have been dating for over seven years, and their family is happy. What you should know about Giannis’ biggest fan is provided below.

 

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s girlfriend has a degree in sports management.

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According to Mariah’s LinkedIn profile, she graduated from Rice University with a bachelor’s degree in sports management in 2014. When she was a student, she worked in the university’s ticket office. After graduating, Mariah interned in operations for the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team.

 

In addition, her father played basketball.

 

In addition to her partner, Pat Riddlesprigger, was a basketball player for Mariah’s family. In the late eighties and early nineties, he was a player for Fresno State University. At family dinners, Mariah’s father and her boyfriend probably have a lot to discuss.

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Giannis and Mariah enjoy taking trips.

Despite Mariah’s private Instagram account, Giannis frequently shares pictures of himself and his partner. The duo enjoys taking trips all over the world for vacations, as you can see if you go through the Bucks player’s social media pages. In the previous postseason, Giannis went to Rome with his fiancée.

 

Italy’s Vatican City.He said, “Thank you God for giving me a gift that allows me to travel the world with my loved ones,” as the caption for a charming photo of the couple that was uploaded on Instagram in July 2018. The pair was pictured together the year before, smiling in front of Paris’s Eiffel Tower.

Mariah played volleyball in college.

Never fall for it. Mariah is a reasonably active person. She was a Rice University volleyball player in the past. Mariah received the honors of being named team captain and MVP during her final year of high school. Giannis is obviously not the only player with skill on the court.

Giannis made the decision to post live on Instagram in February 2018 in order to engage with his fans. and to flaunt his girlfriend’s Valentine’s Day gift to him. He gave his followers a red bell in the video that said, “ring for blow—-.”

 

“You know what I’m saying? The Freak is capable of being a freak both on the court and in the sheets. Joy! In the live Instagram video, Giannis stated. You can hear Mariah yelling in the background, so it seems like she was upset that her lover was showing off the obscene present to all of his millions of admirers.

It’s good to see that these pair can laugh at themselves. Furthermore, we are aware that Mariah will be enthusiastically supporting her beau when he competes to advance his team to the NBA Finals.

 

Greetings from “Greek Freak”!

On Thursday, NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo spent some time with Vinicius Jr. of Real Madrid to express his gratitude for another sport.

 

Along with signing jerseys, Antetokounmpo and his brothers posed for photos with Vinicius.

 

While seeing his brother Kostas compete for the Greek national team in FIBA Internal Cup qualifying, Antetokounmpo has returned to Europe with his family.

 

 

 

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Vinicius Jr smile while posing during their signed jersey swap

 

Antetokounmpo, left, and his brothers Kostas, left, and Thanasis, right, are posing with Vinicius Jr.

 

 

 

Vinicius and Antetokounmpo are preparing for the next season with their respective squads.

 

 

 

Real Madrid, captained by Vinicius, will begin the La Liga championship defense after completing the regular season 13 points clear of second-place Barcelona.

 

 

 

Vinicius scored twenty goals and provided twenty assists in fifty two games in all competitions.

 

 

 

Star Vinicius Jr. grinned in July as he held the UEFA Champions League trophy.

 

The Milwaukee Bucks, led by Antetokounmpo, came in third place in the Eastern Conference of the NBA.  They advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals but lost to the Boston Celtics in seven games.

 

In the 67 games he participated during the regular season, he averaged 29.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists.

 

The most significant off-season acquisition for Milwaukee was the signing of free agent forward Joe Ingles. The franchise is returning most of its squad in an effort to recreate the magic of an NBA Finals triumph similar to what it saw in 2020–21.

 

 

 

 

LeBron James is apparently feeling himself on the court these days.

On Monday night, James put up a vintage performance on the second night of a back-to-back to snap a three-game losing streak.

During the game, LeBron scored 48 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists in a win against the Rockets.

LeBron went on to explain why he decided to play a back-to-back instead of sitting out.
“I could have very easily took tonight off, but I don’t feel like the momentum of our ball club could use me taking a night off tonight,” LeBron said. “I don’t feel like I wanted to sit on that loss to Philly last night, I wanted to get that out of my tastebuds and see if we could win a ballgame tonight.”
During the game, LeBron went viral after it appeared that he looked at a woman sitting courtside who was staring at him.

Fans already made a mixtape featuring LeBron “playing in front of the baddies.”

Fans also had jokes about the cameraman doing LeBron dirty.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the world of fashion, trends come and go, but vintage fashion has become a lifelong fascination for NBA player Jarred Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt has captivated fans and fashion aficionados equally with his passion for all things vintage and his distinctive sense of style. From retro trainers to classic suits, he has become a fashion icon, continually pushing the boundaries of what it means to dress in a manner that combines style and nostalgia. Explore the intriguing world of Jarred Vanderbilt’s passion for vintage fashion.

Jarred Vanderbilt is not one to follow the herd in terms of fashion. Instead, he seeks vintage pieces that tell a narrative and add a touch of nostalgia to his wardrobe as a source of inspiration. Vanderbilt is always on the lookout for one-of-a-kind, statement-making items, whether she’s rummaging through thrift stores, scouring online marketplaces, or visiting vintage boutiques.

Retro trainers are a popular fashion choice at Vanderbilt. He believes that the timeless appeal of these classic shoes can elevate any ensemble. Vanderbilt’s collection of trainers, from iconic Air Jordans to vintage Converse Chuck Taylors, adds a dash of old-school flair to his contemporary ensembles. His passion for trainers has even lead him to collaborate with renowned sneaker brands on limited-edition collections that pay tribute to the golden era of footwear.

 

 

 

Widely recognized as the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan has spent decades of time in the spotlight – yet he tends to keep his family life on the quiet side.

 

The ex-Chicago Bull has five chiladren and one grandchild. His three older children from his first marriage to Juanita Vanoy are all active in the basketball business and his father’s Air Jordan line. Jeffrey, 34, Marcus, 32, and Jasmine, 30. In 2014, he and his current wife Yvette Prieto had twin daughters, Victoria and Ysabel, who are now 9 years old.

 

The NBа greаt’s kids didn’t аlwаys get it when he becаme а legend. Jаsmine discussed when аnd hоw she leаrned оf her fаther’s fаme in а 2020 interview оn Gооd Mоrning аmericа.

“аt schооl, I heаrd а lоt оf peоple sаy things like, ‘It’s incredible yоur fаther is whо he is.’ аnd I’m thinking, tо the best оf my knоwledge, nоne оf yоu hаve ever met my dаd, sо hоw dо yоu knоw thаt? I decided tо investigаte this further аnd lооk him up оn Gооgle. She sаid, “аnd I fоund а lоt, cleаrly.”

“I had that conversation with my father afterward and he just laughed and was like, ‘Hey, there’s no way to really tell you anything like that,’” As Jasmine remarked. “But between him and my mom, they made sure that we felt like he was normal as can be and we grew up very normal and for that I’m grateful.”

 

Learn all about Michael Jordan’s five kids right here!

Jordan, Jeffrey, 34

On November 18th, 1988, Jeffrey Michael Jordan was born to Jordan and Vanoy.

Jeffrey was brought up in a very “competitive atmosphere.” On Good Morning America in 2020, he discussed his childhood.

The son of a famous actor described his father, “He was tough and it was competitive,” in these terms. We believed the healthy dose of competition helped mold us into better people and better equipped us for the challenges of adulthood. The switch was on, and we accepted it.

 

He noted that the 2020 ESPN documentary, The Last Dance, which examined the Bulls’ 1997-98 season, allowed him to see his father in a new light.

“We got to see him when he came home and he was done with work — but being able to see him in his element, in his atmosphere with the team and see all the ups and downs of that season has been a treat to watch,” according to him.

Like his father before him, Jeffrey was always interested in basketball. He enrolled at the University of Illinois in 2007, as a psychology major, and played as a preferred walk-on on the basketball team.

According to ESPN, he returned to the basketball team after announcing his departure in June 2009 for the 2009-10 season. He moved to Central Florida to play college basketball with his younger brother Marcus the following year after starting at Florida State.

Currently, he is overseeing digital brand innovation for the Jordan label, which is the business side of the sport. He wed Radina Aneva on May 25 this year.

 

Age 32, Marcus Jordan

Jordan and Vanoy had their second child, a son named Marcus James, on December 24, 1990.

Marcus followed in his older brother’s footsteps by playing basketball throughout high school and college. From 2009 until August of 2012, he was a player for the University of Central Florida Knights. He received his bachelor’s degree in hotel management in 2013.

In May of 2016, Jordan established the upscale sneaker boutique Trophy Room in the Disney Springs section of Walt Disney World. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the store’s physical site was closed in 2019 and the company has now moved its operations online.

Since 2022, Marcus has reportedly been seeing Larsa Pippen, the ex-wife of his father’s former Bulls teammate Scottie Pippen. Despite Pippen’s claim that they were “just friends” in October 2022, a source informed PEOPLE in January 2023 that they were “happy and dating.” Before making their relationship Instagram official on January 23, 2023, they were seen kissing for the first time in Miami.

 

(30) Jasmine Jordan

On December 7, 1992, Jordan and Vanoy became the proud parents of a daughter they named Jasmine.

While studying sports management at Syracuse University, she met her future husband Rakeem Christmas, who played on the school’s basketball team. On May 4, 2019, Jasmine and Christmas became first-time grandparents when they gave birth to a son named Rakeem Michael Christmas.

During an interview on Today, Jordan stated he was enjoying his time as a grandparent. “It’s fun because I can actually hold him and play with him and I’m having fun watching him,” he commented.

Jasmine said to Essence not long after Rakeem was born that the NBA star was having some trouble accepting the role of “Grandpa.”

 

“He had to warm up to [it],” the new mother said. At first, he insisted that my son call him “Mike” or “Michael,” but I quickly put a stop to that. Accepting the grandfather label is mandatory. What it is, is what it is.

She has a connection to basketball even if she doesn’t play it herself. A 2018 story in InStyle states that she has worked as a basketball operations coordinator for her father’s Charlotte Hornets and as a field representative in sports marketing for Nike’s Jordan line.

TҺe trutҺ is, my fаtҺer is very mucҺ like me in tҺаt Һe Һаs аlwаys been аn intrоvert wҺо prefers tо keep tо Һimself. Һer fаtҺer “just sо ҺаppeneԀ tо Һаve cҺоsen а prоfessiоn tҺаt wаs mаԀe fоr tҺe public eye,” sҺe tоlԀ tҺe meԀiа. In аll cаnԀоr, I believe Һe wоulԀ Һаve cоntinueԀ witҺ Һis cаreer even if Һe ҺаԀn’t becоme fаmоus. Unless аbsоlutely necessаry, Һe аvоiԀs bоtҺ New Yоrk аnԀ Lоs аngeles.

The March 2023 issue of Footwear News had Jasmine on its cover. She explained her position with Jordan Brand and the NCAA’s new policy that permits student-athletes to earn money from their performances in an accompanying interview. She claimed that her father might have made a lot of money playing collegiate basketball under the new regulations if they had been in place back when he was playing.

“Looking at his Funko Pop collectibles or the fact that people still wear his UNC jersey, to reap the benefits from it today, we’re talking making trillions at this point,” said Jasmine.

 

Jordan twins Victoria and Ysabel, ages 9

Jordan and his longtime girlfriend Prieto were married and then announced they were pregnant just a few months later. On Feb. 9, 2014, Prieto gave birth to identical twin daughters, Victoria and Ysabel.

According to a rep for the couple, “Yvette and the babies are doing well, and the family is overjoyed at the arrival,” which was reported by PEOPLE at the time.

The couple are incredibly private about their daughters and have not shared any photographs of them.

 

On social media, a photo of LeBron James performing an absurdly high-flying leap went viral for all the wrong reasons. James offered his thoughts in response to the image.

 

 

 

On Thursday night, when the Cleveland Cavaliers were playing the Phoenix Suns, LeBron James had a phenomenal fourth quarter. Toward the end of the game, he made a really impressive leap to deflect an inbounds ball that was intended for Kevin Durant. The image of James flying through the air went viral, and he shared his thoughts on the matter as well.

That struck me as extremely strange at that very moment. To tell you the truth, I find it hard to imagine that a man who is 38 years old and in his 21st season can still jump so high in the air, especially toward the end of a game in which he has already played for 35 minutes. It is a clear indication of how well LeBron takes care of his body on a day-to-day basis.

 

As for the other events that went place on the court, LeBron James took control of the game in the fourth quarter by scoring 10 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a victory after they had fallen behind. They entered the fourth quarter in a 12-point hole, but James led them to a comeback victory, scoring 21 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, dishing out 9 assists, stealing 2 balls, and blocking 2 shots.

The Awe That LeBron James Elicited From NBA Fans

 

That is something that is going to leave an impression on you regardless of whether or not you are a fan of James. As they reacted to the picture that went viral, NBA fans were filled with admiration for him.

It was hard to think that the player with the most experience in the league would do anything like this, “Sheesh. “How is it that he is the oldest player on the court and yet still one of the most athletic?”

 

One of LeBron James’s fans predicted that he will still be playing basketball in ten years, saying, “Got 10 more years left in the tank.”

Someone made a joke about the NBA doing a drug test on LeBron James, “They finna drug test him.”

A supporter speculates that LeBron James might not be human, saying, “Bron’s gotta be a cyborg there’s no way.”

Someone said they believed this photograph to be a hoax, “I was thinking it was photoshopped gang.”

Because something like this shouldn’t be conceivable for someone who is getting close to their 40s, I can’t say that I would blame someone for suspecting that it was photoshopped. Then again, LeBron James has made a career out of making the impossible possible, so in a way, it perhaps isn’t that unexpected because of what he’s accomplished in the past.

 

The Rigorous Preparation That LeBron James Is Putting In For The 2023–2024 Season

Now, it is evident that genetics play a factor in why LeBron is so limber at this age, but he still needs to put in a lot of work in order to be able to perform things like that. Rob Pelinka, general manager of the Lakers, disclosed James’ strenuous training for the 2023–24 season.

Pelinka was quoted as saying, “It’s staggering for a player who has 20 years under the hood already and is preparing for 21 like he’s a rookie,” and Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported that he said this. “He has been starting his workouts at six in the morning. During this summer, he has probably been in our building more than any other player. Have spent as much time as any other player in the weight room. On every team that LeBron has ever played for, he has pretty much always been the one to set the tone with his work.

He has shown to be an outstanding leader for the rest of his team to look up to and emulate. You wouldn’t condemn a player who has played the game for such a long time and achieved so much in the league for taking it easy, but that’s not James. He’s just not the type of person who does that. LeBron James is as hungry as he has ever been, and he has his sights set on winning the NBA title for the fifth time.

 

Rui Hachimura, 23, is an idol in his native Japan, a position he established during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he served as Japan’s flag bearer for the first time on the international stage. Today, the forward’s impact stretches beyond the Washington Wizards and athletics, touching sneakers, fashion, and culture throughout the world. The former, in particular, has become a focus point for Hachimura’s burgeoning interest in self-expression, as he debuted his first Air Jordan Retro partnership to significant praise earlier this year.

 

Rui feels like he’s come full circle with the footwear. Rui adored Michael Jordan’s game, competitive passion, and legacy as a child in Toyama, Japan. In the present day, the first Japanese-born player to be drafted into the NBA ranks is the face of his idol’s eponymous company.

 

We spoke with Rui shortly after his return to the hardwood to learn about his Olympic experience, the music he’s now listening to, and the story behind his AJ8.

During the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, you were honored as Japan’s flag bearer. How did you find the experience?

It was incredible and an honor to do so for my native nation. It’s difficult to put into words how I felt when I was there. Unfortunately, there were no fans present due to COVID, but being in that position, holding the flag, leading my squad and all the Olympians representing Japan in Tokyo was incredible.

 

You’ve already named Drake and Young Thug as some of your favorite artists. What are you currently listening to?

I’ve recently become obsessed with afrobeat. Artists like Burna Boy and Dave are currently on my radar. I still listen to Drake, but afrobeat makes me feel happy. I listen to afrobeats whether stepping out the door for pregame or simply chilling at home.

Off the court, you’re dressed in Louis Vuitton, Amiri, Dior, and your own Black Samurai line. Is fashion becoming more of a means of self-expression?

Without a doubt. Seeing Russell Westbrook and his style, especially when I was drafted into the NBA—he’s one of the finest guys in the game for fashion. Kyle Kuzma is a really unique player this year. It’s enjoyable and satisfying to put on a decent clothing. It’s all about self-assurance and ease.

What is your favorite aspect of being a member of Team Jordan Brand?

 

It’s a fantasy come true. I was a tremendous fan growing up, so it’s an incredible honor. I have my own Jordan shoe and clothing closet. The fashion is also intriguing; it’s more street-inspired, and I can wear these things to games.

You’ve indicated that much of the inspiration for your Jordan Brand Player Exclusives comes from your background and Japanese-Beninese ancestry. What are some of the colorways that have inspired you this season?

The ‘Black Samurai’ model, which features a black midsole with gold and red embellishments, was inspired by my Japanese heritage. Throughout the season, I’ll be wearing a variety of different hues, each reflecting a distinct side of my story.

How did you come up with your own Jordan 8 Retro colorway? What sparked the idea for the design?

It was done in collaboration with the Jordan Brand design team. The light brown suede lends it an aged appearance, while red elements indicate my Japanese heritage and a Black Samurai logo on the classic AJ8 chenille patch on the tongue. My name is Hachi, which means “8,” thus having my own is unique. Isn’t it a dream come true?